LABOR DISPUTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2110, 11 October 1890, Page 3

LABOR DISPUTES.

London, Got. 7. The Dockers’Executive have decided to refuse to issue strike pay until th» fourth day of a strike, in order to discourage any disputes, : A general strike of compositors in London for increased wages is being organised, * Oct. 8. The Shipping Federation are proposing a : scheme for securing uuifermitg of wsgesi and for establishing boards of arbitration,. The corn porters in the employ of Allen and Nelson, at the Albert Docks, have struck work, ani demanded an increase in wages owing to the dirty quality of the grain which they have to handle. The company refuse to accede to the request, and threaten to lock out the men tor the winter and employ only free labor, Oct. 9, Forty-four London unions, including the new and old unionism, are supporting a proposal to establish conciliation boards to deal with future disputes, as advocated by the London Chamber ot Commerce. It is expected that the dock-owners will lock out the dockers in the winter. They complain that Mr Tom Mann, president of the London Dock Laborers’ Union, and Mr Ben Tilletf, one of the leaders of the unionists, are unable to control the members, Sydney, Oct. 8. The Labor Defence Committee has issued a statement accusing the employers of evadilig a conference. The refusals of the masters even to meet to discuss matters, can only be construed that they prefer to let the strike continue in the hope that they way crash Unionism ; the Committee recommend that all Unions should direct their energies to the collection of foods, and also aotivelly avail themselves of their privileges of the franchise to sweep monopolists and class representatives from Parliament. One result of the strike is that the railway revenue is serionly affected. There has been a falling off of £17,000 in a fortnight. A mass meeting of the Western miners decided to continue the strike to the end. Fifty non-Unionists were desatched to work a Houthern collierv, but the strikers induced them *l| to decline when they reached the spot. Another detachment of free laborers will commence Work under a police guard, Oct 8 ,

The Employers’ Association have issued a semi-official statement which - says that advocacy of conference for a basis'of .settlement on the strength of past experience is weakened by the fact that the circumstances attending the existing strike differ entirely from those attaching to any previous conflict. Th» contest in this case Is solely one on vital principles upon which the attitude of both parlies has deed clearly defined, and until some sign of waveriag is shown by either side it is useless to enter into a conference. The employers had dearly set forth certain principles and these were determined at all costs to adhere to. Their attitude throughout had been a defensive one, and their very existence as employers depends on firm adherence to the lines laid down in the minute of the Emp’oyers’ Conference held in Sydney recently. There cao be no departure from the resolutions passed at that conference. The statement goes on to say th*t li would be dishonest and i misleading to pretend that the employers are prepared to arrive at any compromise that "may have the eflect wtol'y or even partly o! annulling the ea’m and deliberate decisions of the associate I employers ol Australasia, The employers have a large fund and have experience to guide them in the pretaot action, and are not going to allow any hollow sentimental notions or coercive measures to influence them in entering into a conference against their better judgment. A few men returning to work gave rise to a report that the wharf laborers were abou f to resume their duties, the former have again left their work. The Premier of Tictoria has written to Sir Henry Parkes, urging the joint action of the two Governments to bring about a settlement of the labor difficulty, gir LJenry f?arkes has replied, heartily concurring in the proposal, and stating that something must bo done immediately slop the present state of affairs.

A body of strikers have taken possfssion of the Corinal Mine, IlUwarra, where free laborers were working. A detachment of military was despatched to-night to dislodge them, and serious trouble is feared.

The Labor Conference have closed their sittings without a prospect of a settlement of the strike,

NEW ZEALAND. Wellington, Oct. 8. The Pailway Commissioners have completed arrangements for a coal supply, and will resume regular train services on the Wellington, Wanganui, and Napier lines next wefck. Mr Millarr has instructed the shore unions in the colony to return to work at once. The strike will, so far as is known, be carried on by the seaman, wharf laborers, and miners Oct. 9. At .a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee of the Seamen’s Union and Wharf Laborers’ Union to-night it was decided to issue to members ballot papers containing the names of four or five of the candidates announced for the cty election, and those receiving the largest number of votes are to receive the support of those unions in the contest. It is stated that a few of the wharf laborers who are on strike had agreed to ijpply in a body to be taken back, and arranged for a meeting yesterday afternoon to decide as to the form their application should take. Their intention leaked out, however, and a mass meeting was called for the same hour at the same plase, and the plans of the few were frustrated. Westport, Oct. 8.

The free laborers commenced work at the Denniaton mine this morning and everything ia quiet. Coal lowering will be suspended for several weeks owing to the accidental collapse of a portion of the brake machinery. The injury to the brake at Denniston incline will take two or three weeks to repair. In themeautime the free laborers will find plenty of work. The mine authorities are well satisfied with the men. Everything is quiet, Sergeant-Major Fair took charge of the police at Denniston to-day. „ Oct. 9.

A letter appears in the Press from the free laborers at Denniston thanking the Westport Coal Company for the treatment on their arrival; ala© stating their intention t« stand by the company in the present difficulty, as they recognise that no question of wages is involved in the dispute with the unionists, but merely the question of affiliation. Everything is quiet %t Denniston, and it is anticipated that the brake at the Denniston incline will be repaired in the weeks. Qretmouth, Oct. fi.

A meeting of tho Trades and Labor Union and Miners’ representatives from Brunnertou held to-day, a resolution was carried unanimously to maintain the strike and not give way in the slightest degree. Langridge and Masters, storekeepers at Brunnerton, have called a meeting of their creditors. Their failure is attributed to losses and the general depression caused by the strike. LYTTELTON, Oc 1 ,. 8.

Two firemen on board the s.s. Arawa named John Burns and William Barry were each fined £5, or in default one month’s imprisonment, for assaulting a free laborer employed on the vessel on Tuesday evening. Several men 'in the court hooted the beach, but were not deteeted. Oct. 8.

A man, named John Lord, who was working on board the s.s. Tekapo yesterday morning, had his collar bone broken through a large cargo hook falling on him. He was working in the hold at the lime, and the hook was being passed down to receive another sling of cargo.